Improvement in sewing-machine shuttles



R. H. St. J 0 HN.

I SEWING-MACHINE SHUTTLE. N o. 171, 79. Patented Jan. 4, 1876. v

FYI G3.

WITNESSES 'NVENTOR @1 W I Attorneys.

NPETERS, FHOTULITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, B C.

UNITED STATES ROSWELL-H. ST. JOHN, or BELLEFONTATNE, oHio.

IMPROVEMENT lN SEWING-MACHINE SHUTTLES.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [71,879, dated January 4, 1876; application filed June 11, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RoswELL H, ST. JOHN, of Bellefontaine, in the county of Logan and State of Ohio, have invented an Improved to me under date of September 15, 1674, for

improvement in sewing'machines, and relates to what are termed reciprocating shuttles, and particularly to those shuttles which are cylindrical in general shape, the bobbin being introduced at the rear end or heel of the shuttle, and confined by a heel-piece.

The invention consists, first, in a latch which is hinged permanently to the exterior at one end of the shuttle-case, and is adapted to move in a plane perpendicular to the surface to which it is applied. The object of this improvement is to provide means for releasing the thread from the tension device, or confining it therein by a direct movement, without liability of tangling or disarranging it.

The invention consists, secondly, in the provision of' a series of tension pins, in combination with a latch having perforations to permit it to receive the ends of the said pins, and also keep the thread in place. The object of this improvement is to provide a more ready means for. adjusting the tension, and is greatly valued by those who sufl'er from bad eyesight, and the blind. as it does not necessitate the use of the eyes. It also has an advantage over tensions formed by passing the thread through perforations, as in the construction of the latter the thread is liable to be cut, especially in new shuttles. This would be impossible in reeving the thread around tension-pins.

The invention consists, thirdly, in a late having a beveled -heel-piece hinged thereto, said heel-piece forming a door to the bobbinreceptacle. The object of this improvement is to provideaheel-piece which can be guided into position, first, by the latch, and, secondly, by

its bevel. It also closes the bobbin-receptacle completely, and prevents oil or other foreign matter from entering therein. It also provides'a more ready means for opening the bobbin-receptacle.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure, 1 is a plan view of this shuttle as opened to receive a bobbin. Fig. 2 is a side elevation 5 Fig. 3 a rear elevation, and Fig. 4 a bottom view, of the shuttle as closed. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the shuttle with the latch and beveled heel-piece detached. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 6, Fig. 2.

The hollow body a of this shuttle is cylindrical, and of sufiicient size to accommodate an approved bobbin, b, Which latter may be of a common form with solid spindle. The rear end or heel 1 of the shuttle-body is open. Its point or toe 2 is sharpened, and is furnished at bottom with lateral projections 3, which aid in forming the point, and prevent the shuttle from turning, so as to. keep the right side to the needle, besides adding to the smooth working of the shuttle, and adapting it to run in an ordinary race, either straight or curved. A cup-bearing for one end of the bobbin-spindle is formed in the solid point 2 of the shuttle. A bearing for its other end is formed in the center of a beveled heel-piece, 0, by which the heel 1 is closed, and the bobbin secured. A latch, d, is hinged to the shuttle-case at its front end, and to the outer end of this latch the heel-piece c is hinged, as most clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, so that the cap shall secure the latch, and the latter shall prevent the loss of the heel-piece, while permitting its removal from the shuttle to facilitate introducing and removing the bobbin. The heel-piece is made to fit tightly enough to prevent its accidental displacement, and a notch, 4, is provided in theshuttle-body, to admit the thumb-nail for opening the heelpiece. The latch is perforated, as represented, but not to receive the thread.

As a more convenient substitute for holes or notches as tension devices, a series of tension pins or studs, 6, is applied to the needle side of the shuttle-body, and the said perforations in the latch receive the ends of these pins.

of the shuttle, extending from the heel to these tension-pins, and, preferably, beneath TENT OFFICE.

A longitudinal slot, 5, is formed in the face one or more of the latter, as represented in A new bobbin having been introduced, the retained outer end of the thread is quickly drawn into this slot, and around one 01"111016 of the pins for the required tension. The latch and heelpiece are then closed, and the bobbin is ready for use.

The hinges and other details of construction may be of the simplest character.

The advantages gained by this improved construction of shuttles will be apparent. The thread and tensioucan be got at in one and the same operation, thereby saving time in getting the machine ready for work, while other shuttles have to, be threaded through holes or work-screws. The threading, as is well known. is a matter of 7 great importance.

This simple device meets the demand for a quickly-tln'eaded shuttle.

The latch, being adapted to be raised perpendicularly from the surface of the shuttleseries of tension-pins e, in combination with a latch, 01, perforated to receive the ends of the said pins, substantially as set forth.

3.- In a sewing-machine shuttle-case, the latch d, in combination with the beveled heelpiece 0 hinged thereto, substantially as and for V the purposes set forth.

ROSWELL ST. JOHN. Witnesses:

PHILANDER JONES, J. W. BARTRAM. 

